When Kellie Saul’s big German shepherd Cato had surgery in January to correct a pinched nerve in his neck, he was left unable to use his back legs.

Kellie, who lives in Atherton, useda sling to hoist those legs and help Cato get around until she suffered a shoulder injury.

Now, her 90-pound canine friend is getting intensive therapy at Scout’s House in Menlo Park, a physical rehabilitation therapy center for animals. Kellie hopes to know within six months if Cato will be able to walk again.

For now, he’s getting several kinds of treatment and is able to walk by using a harness with wheels.

“During these critical months, he needs this therapy if he’s ever going to walk again,” Kellie said. “When we went into surgery, the doctors said they also assess personality and temperament – that they needed a dog that was willing to work after surgery.

“They looked at him and said ‘Cato’s a worker.’ “

Geronimo, a kitten rescued by Peninsula CatWorks, is also being treated at Scout’s House and needs someone to help him get around with a rear sling. His legs had been crushed before he was rescued, and he may never walk again.

“But it doesn’t matter, he got a home that loves him dearly – me,” said Lisa Stahr, co-founder of Scout’s House.

Lisa came up with the idea for Scout’s House after adopting a dog named Scout who had suffered severe neurological damage as a puppy. Someone had dumped the sick puppy in a neighbor’s car. Lisa took it in even though the diagnosis was grim: distemper.

Scout survived, but “she was partially blind, and her rear legs only worked half the time,” Lisa said. “She died when she was 3 from kidney failure, but she was walking normally when she died.”

Lisa had taken Scout to specialists at the University of California-Davis veterinary school and for rehab in Oakland and San Jose. Lisa also devised games to play at home, where she would hide things and ask Scout and her other dog to go find them.

“Scout was better than my other dog,” who was in good health, Lisa said of the game.

Scout had a short life, but her legacy has been help for lots of other injured and disabled animals at the rehab center in her name.

And for those who can’t make it to Menlo Park, Lisa has an online business that features harnesses, wheels and other things that can help disabled and older pets have a better quality of life.

The online store (www.scoutshouse.com/store) features a wide array of products for animals suffering long-term debilitating conditions, including arthritis and hip dysplasia, as well as for animals recovering from surgery or injuries.

When my dog, Lucy, began having trouble walking, I bought a product that supported her back end and legs, and away we went.

I’ve seen dogs who can’t walk that mostly lie around, with the owner diligently cleaning up messes. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With the right product, you can get your dog or cat up and walking again. They might need your help to do it, but that’s why you’re there.

Let’s face it: We’re getting older, our pets are getting older.

And sometimes they need help to get around. If you have an older dog and a second floor in your house, for instance, I’d urge you to take a look at some of the sling products. Those stairs are a real hurdle for some older dogs.

If you prefer getting information on the phone, a veterinary technician certified in canine rehab will take your call at Scout’s House and help you decide what you need. The number is (650) 328-1430.